The rumour mill begins to catch the breeze about Justin’s plans; the Ambridge women show their cricketing worth.

Radio Times: Roy lacks the luck of the draw

Characters: Anisha, Brian, Harrison, Kenton, Lily, Neil, Susan, Tracy

• Neil and Susan discuss the local gossip about Justin’s possible plans for Berrow Farm. Neil admits to speaking to him at some length about intensive pig rearing. As usual, Susan puts two and two together and comes up with the idea that he may be considering just that for the Berrow development; turning it into a great “pig factory”. Just then Tracy passes by. Though she wasn’t keen on joining the Ambridge cricket team, the single wicket competition is a different kettle of fish and that’s where she’s heading.
• Harrison tries to lift Lily’s spirits following her run-out in yesterday’s match. Kenton arrives and is given a copy of the draw. Ruairi is down as a player and, oh dear, Lily is drawn against Harrison. Elsewhere, Anisha and Brian discuss Lily’s poor recent performance. Tracy turns up and discovers that she’s drawn against Roy. She savours the prospect. Lily arrives and Anisha pointedly asks if she’s recovered from her recent drubbing. At which point, Kenton announces the start of the competition.
• With one ball left in the over, Tracy knocks Roy’s delivery for four, bringing her score to 11. Roy is well and truly put out of the competition. As Harrison and Lily take their place, Susan asks Neil if he’s mentioned their thoughts about Justin’s plans because Fallon had cornered her in the tea tent earlier, wanting to know chapter and verse. Neil eventually realises that he may have mentioned something to Jazzer, just in passing. As Susan says, folk have the nerve to accuse her of gossiping!
• Harrison is caught off Lily, a good catch rather than expert bowling reckons Susan. Later in the tea tent, Anisha damns Lily’s bowling efforts with faint praise, though the younger girl retaliates by saying how lucky Anisha was to score her first six. Harrison turns up with Tracy. He’s very proud of Lily and tries again to recruit Tracy into the Ambridge team. Anisha and Lily try to persuade her, saying rather weakly that the women in the team get on well and back each other up. Oh yes?
• Before announcing the finalists, Kenton calls for appreciation for the losing semi-finalists, Anisha and Lily. Both women are disappointed about not being in the final but accept the applause and cheers of the crowd. “Who says that women can’t play cricket?” asks Kenton. The finalists, Ruairi and Chris take their place on the field. Let battle commence.
• Later in The Bull Brian, Harrison and Kenton discuss the competition. Brian is impressed with Ruairi’s performance, even though he lost. It just adds icing to the day for him and Jennifer as it’s their 41st wedding anniversary. Susan and Neil arrive basking in their son’s success. Brian offers them a drink just as Harrison asks about the rumour regarding Justin’s plans for Berrow Farm. Brian takes a spluttering fit, saying that plans haven’t even been laid before the BL board, rather giving the game away. Neil owns up that he may have inadvertently started the rumour but to no avail. Brian escapes, claiming that he has to get home. Susan and Neil are left to buy their own drink as Susan ponders on the possibility that the rumour may just be true.